Program Overview & Guide

Visitors utilizing Upham Woods for day or residential programs can choose from a wide variety of environmental, outdoor education and recreation programs and activities. Each is taught by an Upham Naturalist and many can be group-led. Browse the links below or scroll down to read about the programs offered at Upham Woods.

AQUATICS

Wacky Water Critters

Explore the river habitat at Upham Woods and discover the amazing world of macro-invertebrates. Students will wear rain boots and use nets, stereoscopes, and a dichotomous key to collect, examine, and study aquatic insects and other water critters. These hands-on activities will allow students to learn about animal adaptations, aquatic ecosystems, and the role of aquatic insects in the food chain.

ANIMAL ECOLOGY

Animal Signs

Become a detective, investigate animal clues and solve nature’s mysteries. Students will learn about seven categories of animal signs, how to interpret each sign, and why natural history interpretation is an important tool for understanding wildlife. A large portion of this class is spent outside looking for animal signs and tracking animals.

Bat Ecology

Do bats really carry rabies and get stuck in your hair? This class will answer these questions and more as students explore the fascinating world of the only true flying mammal. Students will explore myths surrounding bats, discover bat adaptations through interactive games, and discuss the importance of bats in the ecosystem.

• Challenges students to look at an animal from a new perspective.
• A great program for evenings and large groups.
Length: 1 hour
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th
Maximum Participants: 30 in Nature Center / 150 in Main Lodge
Meet at: LodgeBat Ecology Lesson Plan PD\F

Discovering Owls

Through the use of a multimedia presentation and hands-on examples, students will discover the unique adaptations of these nocturnal raptors and the importance of owls in the food web. Students will also learn how to identify Wisconsin’s native owls and mimic owl calls.

Habitat is a Home

Have you wondered what makes a habitat a home? Food, water, shelter, and space of course! This interactive class allows students to discover what makes a habitat a home as well as understand the dynamic nature of populations, habitat quality, and carrying capacities. This lesson includes songs, games, and allowing the students to take on the roles of wild animals.

Predator/Prey

Experience life on the wild side with this interactive game. Students will learn about the food web and population dynamics by becoming predators and prey. A discussion following the game will show the importance of food, water, shelter, and reproduction for species survival in a balanced ecosystem. Upham staff and 6-7 adults are required for this program.

Radical Raptors

What better way to learn about birds and conservation than to meet live birds of prey! Students will compare raptors to other birds and learn about the incredible adaptations that make raptors excellent predators. This live raptor presentation will introduce students to human-raptor interactions and the importance of raptors in the ecosystem. Two raptors are housed at Upham Woods and have injuries that prevent them from returning to the wild. Due to the stress on the birds, this program can only be presented once a day. It should not be used as a rotational class. Upham staff is required for this program.

Scales, Scutes & Skins

Do you know the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? Discover the science of herpetology in this interactive program. A live animal show and adaptation game will compare reptile and amphibian adaptations and teach students the important roles these animals play in the environment. Students will learn how to care for and protect Wisconsin’s diverse herps. Upham staff is required for this program.

CREATIVE LEARNING

Nature Journaling

Students will begin this program by exploring the history of nature journaling and examining the words of famous writers from the past. They will then create personalized journals using recycled materials. Students will fill their pages during a variety of hands-on activities that encourage them to explore the natural world and their own connections to it.

SENSORY AWARENESS

Make Sense of Nature

Discover Upham Woods through all five senses and develop a sense of wonder in nature. Blindfolded students must identify natural objects and effectively communicate their experiences of heightened sensitivity. Students will explore the woods on a scavenger hunt and learn about sensory adaptations that help animals survive.

SERVICE LEARNING

Upham Woods Service Project

Promote environmental stewardship and empower youth to get involved at Upham Woods. Improvement projects will help develop and maintain Upham Woods’ trails, facilities and grounds. Youth will be given an age-appropriate improvement project to work on during a 1-1½ hour time period. Upham staff or group adults may lead these activities. Supervision must be provided by at least 2 group adults. Please contact Upham Woods to determine a project that is appropriate for your group.

• Awesome way to promote environmental stewardship and empower youth!
• Specific activities that meet the needs of Upham and the group can be arranged, such as, wood chipping, invasive species eradication, general camp clean up. Contact our Facilities and Operations Director for more information.
Grade Level: 4th and higher
Suggested Maximum Participants: 20
No Lesson Plan at this Time

CULTURAL HISTORY

Voyageur Program

Become a voyageur and paddle a 34-foot replica of a voyageur canoe from the French Fur Trade era on the Wisconsin River. Students will learn about the people that made the fur trade possible and the role that each culture played as trappers, traders, and travelers. Adults and youth are required to wear PFD’s. This program requires Upham staff and will be canceled if water flow reaches 14,000 cfs. Available April – October.

Life of a Logger

Travel back in time to an 1858 Wisconsin logging camp. The camp cook will transform students from green jacks into experienced lumberjacks through pictures, stories, songs and dances. Students will learn about the dress, work and play of 19th century lumberjacks.

• A popular Wisconsin history lesson.
• A great program for evenings and large groups.
Length of Program: 1 hour
Grade Level: 5th – adult
Maximum Participants: 150
Meet at: LodgeLife of a Logger Lesson Plan

FORESTRY

Tree Identification

Ever wonder…what is that tree growing in your backyard? Become a dendrologist, a tree expert! Students will discover the different uses among Wisconsin’s tree species and the importance of tree identification. Students will learn about tree structure: leaves, bark, twigs, buds, and tree shape. They will then use a dichotomous key to explore and identify the many trees at Upham Woods.

Value of a Tree (VOAT)

Is a tree more valuable left standing to provide habitat, shade and storing carbon? Or cut down to be used for paper, lumber or even jet fuel? This lesson helps youth consider all of the uses of a tree, and even brings some math skills into the mix. Participants learn about the carbon cycle, and a tree’s role in the cycle, then head outside for hands-on calculations of the tree’s height, age and biofuel potential. Incorporating digital tools such as Surface Pro tablets, digital microscopes and GPS units engage deeper understanding of the microbiology of trees and how many and what types of trees foresters would harvest to maximize potential.

NIGHT PROGRAMS

Campfires

A large, stadium seating campfire circle provides a great atmosphere for all ages! Campfires will actively involve students in silly skits, songs, and stories. Groups may start and lead campfires or request Upham staff assistance. We now have added a second, smaller campfire circle behind the Nature Center.

Circle Dances

Students will Hokey-Pokey, Chicken Dance, Limbo, and Sally Down the Alley. Karaoke is possible if you bring a Karaoke CD! Circle Dances can be group led or facilitated by a Naturalist. Also available during the day.

• A great physical way to end the day!
• Good socializing opportunities.
Length: 1 hour, if Naturalist led
Grade Level: 2nd – 8th
Maximum Participants: None
Meet at: Lodge or Volleyball Court
No Lesson Plan at this Time

Night Hikes

Experience a fun and exciting hike through Upham Woods at night and learn about the special adaptations of nocturnal animals. Sensory awareness activities during the hike will teach students how to better use their night vision and other senses to navigate more comfortably in the dark. Remember to wear warm clothes and closed-toed shoes and turn your flashlights off.

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Archery

Ready, Aim, Fire! Students will have a great time working on their bowman skills as well as learning how to safely use basic archery equipment. Groups will practice shooting aluminum shaft arrows with adjustable tension compound bows at standard archery targets. An adult experienced in Archery may lead this activity provided an Upham Woods staff has oriented them.

Blackhawk Island Hikes

Paddle a barge to our 210 acre island, where students can crawl through sandstone caves, visit historic sites on the Wisconsin River, witness forest succession and much more. Naturalists will lead students on an interpretive journey discovering the important natural and cultural history of Blackhawk Island. Groups may request hikes with a special focus or specific destinations prior to arrival at camp. All participants MUST wear closed-toed shoes (no sandals). This class will be canceled if water flow reaches 14,000 cfs or in the case of very high winds. Available April – October.

Canoeing

Get up close and personal with amazing rock formations, search the shores for native wildlife, and learn natural and cultural history while traveling along the beautiful Wisconsin River. Students will receive instruction on land about paddling techniques, safely entering and exiting a canoe, and how to work as a team to steer before embarking on a wonderful journey of discovery. Youth and adults must wear PFD’s at all times. A ratio of 1 adult to 8 youth is required and these adults must canoe with group. An experienced adult may lead this class provided they attend an orientation given by Upham staff. Upham staff will serve as lifeguard unless group provides their own lifeguard. This class will be canceled if water flow reaches 12,000 cfs.

North Shore Hikes

See the spectacular scenery of the Wisconsin Dells, including a small waterfall, sandstone cliffs, and caves as naturalists lead students on an interpretive hike along the North Shore Trail. Closed toed shoes are required.

Orienteering I and ATR Courses

Through classroom and field activities, students will receive instruction on the use of a compass and hands-on experience traveling through Upham Woods’ circle compass course and/or our new and more advanced ATR (located Across The Road) course. Students will work in groups to take bearings and walk a straight line to the correct points on their pre-determined course. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.

Orienteering II

Bushwhack your way through Blackhawk Island with compass in hand. Students will paddle a barge to Blackhawk Island, review compass use, and work in teams to complete a pre-determined orienteering course with limited adult supervision. Students will use two-way radios to remain in constant contact with the instructor. This program must be conducted on Blackhawk Island. Upham staff is required for this program. Class will be canceled if water flow reaches 14,000 cfs. Available April – October.

Outdoor Survival

Have you ever been lost in the woods and didn’t know what to do? Through this hands-on program, students will learn the Seven Basic Human Survival Needs and how to avoid survival situations by being prepared. Students will then use critical thinking skills to determine how they would survive in a survival scenario. Finally, students will learn the important aspects of shelter building and fire safety and work in small groups to build their own shelters and fires. This lesson will be geared toward the groups age and the current season.

Swimming

Youth may swim in the Wisconsin River from June to August. An Upham staff lifeguard must be present. There must be one lifeguard present for every 25 swimmers with a maximum of 50 swimmers at a time. The group may provide the 2nd lifeguard. Lifeguards must provide proof of certification. Each group must schedule a swim test prior to the scheduled swim time; swim tests are required before free swims or water carnivals. A ratio of 1 adult: 10 swimmers must be maintained at all times. Swimming will be canceled if river flow exceeds 12,000 cfs or water temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grade Level: 1st – adult
Maximum Participants: 50
No Lesson Plan at this Time

Adaptive Kayaking and Hiking

Assist Wisconsin, a non-profit organization from Wisconsin Dells has partnered with Upham Woods to bring a new adaptive kayak with two extra pontoons and a grip assist paddle, along with a hand pedaled off road tricycle for hiking around camp. If you have any campers with disabilities who are on the fence about coming to camp, these tools can be the difference by turning obstacles into opportunities. If you would like to use these tools for your counties trip, please contact the Program Director for more information.

TEAM BUILDING

Group Initiatives

These fun and exciting group activities foster teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. All group initiatives will be played on the sand playing field or volleyball court. Depending on the number of facilitators available, multiple groups can participate at the same time. Students are asked to wear closed-toed shoes for this program.

Peanut Butter Mountain: Team Building Challenge Course

Peanut Butter Mountain (PBM) is Upham Woods’ challenge course. Participants will work on communication, teamwork, trust, body language, and other group processes while participating in challenging group initiatives and low elements. Each program starts with several ground group initiatives and then progresses up to the challenge course. All participants MUST wear closed-toed shoes (no sandals). PBM programs can only be facilitated by an Upham Woods staff member or a certified adult leader.

The Amazing Upham Race

The Amazing Upham Race is a fast-paced, camp-wide interactive teamwork challenge in the style of the reality TV show The Amazing Race. Teams must solve teamwork or problem-solving challenges to get their next clue. Your group will be required to supply adults for supervision and to staff some of the challenge locations. Also, Upham naturalist preparation time is required for this class so your group will not have the use of one of your Upham naturalists for one hour prior to the scheduled start of the class. Call for more information on course choices and scheduling requirements.

TECHNOLOGY

Upham Woods now offers several new and exciting opportunities to engage today’s youth in the outdoors using innovative and interactive technology tools. For more information, or to learn how your group can participate in one of these programs, check out our technology programs page or contact Upham Woods Director Justin Hougham at justin.hougham@ces.uwex.edu.

WINTER FUN

Cross Country Skiing

Nordic skiing has gained popularity as a sport and is now enjoyed by millions of people across the planet for fun, recreation, winter exercise and travel! Students will be introduced to skiing equipment, techniques and have the opportunity to practice on our mainland ski trails. If time permits, students will also learn some of the history, classification and evolution of skiing equipment. An experienced adult with an equipment orientation can lead this activity. Students should come prepared with warm clothing. This activity is available only during winter months and may be cancelled due to inadequate snowfall.
Length: 1 hour MINIMUM
Grade Level: 2nd – adult
Maximum Participants: 25 sets of boots, skis & poles are available.
Meet at: Craft BuildingCross Country Lesson Plan

Broomball

Join in on the excitement! Similar to hockey, broomball is fast, fun and a great outdoor winter activity. The game is played on a “rink” with 5 players plus a goalie on each team trying to score against the other team. The players run on the rink surface while using a “broom” to control the ball and score. Substituting players throughout the game allows larger groups to enjoy this unique sport, too. Broomball develops teamwork and good sportsmanship. Participants are required to wear the provided helmets while playing.
Length: ½ hour – 1 hour
Grade Level: 3rd – adult
Suggested Maximum Participants: 12 players on the rink at one time.
Meet at: Lodge PorchBroomball Lesson Plan

Snowshoeing

An experienced adult should lead this activity. Upham staff will check equipment in and out, as well as provide a short orientation on proper snowshoe use, how to move effectively in snowshoes, and what to do after a fall. If snow conditions permit, groups may snowshoe the North Shore Trail. Students should come prepared with warm clothing. This activity is available only during winter months and may be cancelled due to inadequate snowfall.

OUTPOST TRIPS

Did you know Upham Woods offers adventure education trips? For a small fee we will outfit your group with gear, food and expertise to experience the wild side of Upham Woods. We offer day trips as well as overnight adventures. Some options:

Devil’s Lake Outpost

Mirror Lake Outpost

Canoe Down the Wisconsin, Juneau County Park

Canoe Down the Wisconsin, Two Rivers Adventure

Blackhawk Island Base Camp Canoeing

Group size is limited to 20-30 participants, depending on the adventure. We can transport canoes and gear but not participants. Please see our Adventure Education and Outpost page, or the Outpost forms page for more information.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Consider extending the educational content of your field trip! The organizations below provide additional information and educational programming on the historic, natural and cultural history of the Wisconsin Dells region. To add an educational program before or after your Upham Woods trip, contact each organization for more information and reference your Upham Woods experience.

Aldo Leopold Foundation

Come learn about one of Wisconsin’s foremost conservationists at the site that inspired his most well known work, A Sand County Almanac. Tour options include guided tours of the Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm (a National Historic Landmark) and the LEED-Platinum-rated Leopold center. For more information, please call The Aldo Leopold Foundation at 608-355-0279 or visit www.aldoleopold.org

H. H. Bennett Studio Tour

Learn more about the unique history of the Dells area with a trip to the H. H. Bennett Studio in downtown Wisconsin Dells. Participants will get a full tour of the studio- which is stunning, interactive, and very informative. Upham Woods has many Bennett pictures hanging in our main lodge and this tour would be a great addition to any Upham visit. To schedule, contact the H. H. Bennett Studio at 608-253-3523, email hhbennett@wisconsinhistory.org

International Crane Foundation

For over 40 years, the International Crane Foundation (ICF) has been working to protect the 15 crane species of the world and the ecosystems on which they depend. Experience these beautiful birds, as you take a private tour with a naturalist. Photograph endangered Whooping Cranes, observe Crowned Cranes dancing, and discover our innovate approach to conservation. To schedule a field trip, contact ICF at 608-356-9462 ext. 127 or email naturalist@savingcranes.org. Groups are responsible for their own transportation. Also visit their website at www.savingcranes.org.

Jet Boat Adventure

If you like your boat rides super-fast and super-wet, take a ride on the wild side of the Wisconsin River aboard one of our Jet Boats. Our 1,200 horse power jet boats propel you through the towering formations of the Upper Dells, blending amazing scenery with awesome slides, spinouts and power stops. Climb aboard and prepare for liftoff! To schedule, contact Stephanie at 608-254-8555 or groups@dellsboats.com . Our Jet Boats can pick your group up at Camp Upham Woods’ docks on the south side of Blackhawk Island or we can provide a complimentary shuttle pick up.

Suggested Length: 50 minutes
Grade Level: Recommended for ages 4 and above
Maximum Participants: 50-55 on one jet boat or 110 at one time on two jet boats
Cost: $8.75 per student age 4-18 and chaperones, one per 20 ride free; tax exempt rate

Upper Dells Boat Tour

More than a classic river cruise of the Wisconsin River, it’s a dramatic journey through incredible scenery, fascinating history and colorful legend. Enjoy unparalleled views of towering pine-covered bluffs and majestic rock formations carved by nature. Two exclusive shorelandings provide the opportunity to explore prehistoric passageways at Witches Gulch and witness the signature trademark of the Dells – the dog leap at Stand Rock! To schedule, contact Stephanie at 608-254-8555 or groups@dellsboats.com. We will gladly provide a complimentary shuttle pick up to and from camp.

Wisconsin Duck Tour

Climb aboard an Original Wisconsin Duck and experience all the scenic beauty and natural wonders of the area with plenty of fun and adventure along the way. Let our experienced and knowledgeable pilots wind you through miles of exclusive wilderness trails and take you into the beautiful Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River where you’ll see the unique sandstone cliffs and rock formations that made the Dells famous. To schedule, contact Stephanie at 608-254-8751 or Stephanie@wisconsinducktours.com. We will gladly offer a complimentary Duck Shuttle pick up to and from camp.

Suggested Length: 1 hour tour, 10 minutes travel time each way.
Grade Level: All ages
Maximum Participants: No maximum number, 20-21 people per Duck. For larger groups, Ducks will load together and be about 2-5 minutes apart on the tour.
Cost: $8.75 per student age 4-18 and chaperones, one per 20 ride free; tax exempt rate